video | un: fotia

[burningfree]

[Lio had never really used the video feature on his phone before, but he figured this was probably the best way to showcase his, uh, problem.

So he was laying down, with his phone pointed down at his face, and he looked absolutely miserable. His face was bright red, dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat. Anyone could tell just by looking at him that he had a nasty looking fever.]

Hey. [He swallowed, his mouth dry and his voice all nasally.] Something's wrong. I'm somehow burning hot and freezing cold at the same time, and I can't breath through my nose. I thought I was just tired this morning but it's getting worse. I think I might be dying.

[Of course, in actuality, Lio Fotia had gotten sick for the first time since childhood, and he didn't know what was going on. Galo was out at the moment, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered with a network post and would have just grabbed him, but being slightly delirious, this was his next best idea.]

Comments

text | un: ilikeacca

[mydailybread]

Hi Lio.

I don't think you're dying. I certainly hope not, anyway. It sounds to me like you have a nasty cold, or maybe flu.

Do you want me to drop by with some soup? That can help.

video | un: fotia

[burningfree]

Wait, who is this?

[It took Lio a moment in his delirious state to recognize the username, but a little lightbulb went off after staring for a bit.]

Oh, Jean?

[Lio debated switching to text to match Jean, but every joint in his body ached, including his thumbs, and he just wasn't feeling up to texting. So video it was, with a confused and disgruntled expression.]

You've gotta be kidding me... why the hell do they call it a cold if my skin feels like it's on fire? [And then he shuddered, rubbing one arm.] And why am I shivering if my skin's on fire? Is that supposed to happen??

video | un: ilikeacca

[mydailybread]

[Jean really preferred text, but maybe video would be easier for Lio to deal with right now... He switched to video.]

Hi again. Is this easier?

[He rubbed at the back of his head.]

I think it was named by people who though you got sick just by getting cold... Anyway, it sounds like you have a fever. That's your body heating up to try and fight off the infection.

I've had to look after my sister when she's been sick, so... I'll stop by a shop and grab some medicine. You should rest and try to drink some water in the mean time.

[burningfree]

Yeah, that's easier.

[Yeah, it's Jean. Good. He felt a lot more comfortable talking about this with someone he actually knew.

Lio groaned, twisting his head sideways to bury it halfway against his pillow.]

What a stupid name... is this what non-burnish have to deal with every time they get too cold??

[Sniffle.]

Water... ugh, I don't think I can even get up. And Galo isn't home...

[Text; un: turntechGodhead]

[itsknighttime]

the lack of breath sounds like dying to me
the rest sounds like menopause though

video (also goddamnit dave)

[burningfree]

[This, of course, wasn't helping Lio in the slightest.]

What?? What the hell is menopause?? Is that going to kill me?

text; rip this poor sweetheart

[itsknighttime]

yeah its when you pause being a man its why its called menopause
id say thatd kill most people but you probably want to work on the no breathing thing first before you worry about your ovaries playing at rivalling the sahara desert

[burningfree]

... I can't understand a word you're saying. What are ovaries? Why are they on fire??

[Lio wasn't an idiot but uh, he never went to school, which meant he had zero knowledge about female internal anatomy.]

I can breath, but not through my nose... I think my nose might be broken. [Sniffle.] It feels like something is stuck.

text; un: asura

[demonicbookworm]

I don't think you're dying. It sounds more like a cold from the symptoms you're listening. I'm studying medicine so I can check on you if you'd like?

For now I'd suggest staying in warmth, drinking a lot of liquids and rest.

video

[burningfree]

I thought colds were supposed to be just a mild thing. This feels horrible. Are you sure that's what it is?

[He wiped at his forehead, trying to get rid of some of the sweat.]

I'm already too warm. And cold. I don't know if a cold is supposed to do that, but I keep worrying it's something worse.

[demonicbookworm]

[Switching to video may be a good idea. He does that with a small wave.]

Sometimes colds can be really nasty. Or it could be a flu. Have you checked if you have a fever?

[burningfree]

... Mmn, no. I don't think we have a thermometer here.

[Aside from first aid equipment for physical injuries, and some mild pain killers for occasional aches and pains, their medicine cabinet was pretty bare. It wasn't like either of them had ever planned to get sick.]

I know my temperature is supposed to be around... what, 98? Right? I don't know, I used to have a resting body temperature of around 750... what counts as a fever?

video;

[unhappy]

You're not dying, you big baby.

[ She laughs a little though. ]

Drink a lot of water, take some medicine, and go to sleep.

[burningfree]

Emerald?

[Lio was glaring, but with how pathetic he looked, it really came off more like a pout.]

How do you know that?? And what medicine? I've never taken medicine before in my life. [Well, that probably wasn't true, but he didn't have any memories of ever taking medicine before.]

[unhappy]

You're sweaty and red and stuffed up. Usually that means a fever.

[ She sighs. ] Text me your address, I'll bring you some stuff. Have you been throwing up at all?

[ She's trying to decide to get him cold medicine or flu medicine.. He could probably tough it out (Emerald usually does) but if he doesn't even realize he's been sick, it's probably better if he takes something. ]

[burningfree]

Stuffed up?

[Sniff.]

I've been nauseous but I haven't thrown up yet. Not sure if that'll change...

You don't have to come here, I just... I wasn't sure what was going on. I thought maybe I was having withdrawal or something. Like my body finally started retaliating after losing my flames.

audio;

[galohen]

Man, I knew something was up before I left... you must've caught a cold or something.

( how he caught a cold here, galo's not positive but. at least he's out and able to pick things up that they may need. )

And you're not dying! Don't say that, people might actually think you're dying.

( probably not but still... )

video

[burningfree]

Galo? Sorry, I should have called you first but I thought...

Everyone keeps saying it's a cold, but what if this is something else?

[He only said that because he genuinely thought he was dying!

Sounding entirely pathetic and needy, he sniffled some more, pouting at the camera.]

When are you coming home?

[galohen]

( well, judging on how lio looked? definitely not dead, not even close.

the pout pulled at galo's heartstrings... which certainly didn't need to get tugged in the first place. he already felt pretty bad on behalf of partner. )

Hm! Hm, hm, hm. It does sound like a cold.

( and then it hit him like a dragon falling out of a building: )

Wait, you've never... I'm almost home. Hang in there, I've got just the cure. What other symptoms do you have? Anything else you're missing?

( a detour to pick up some additional groceries will help. )

text; un: no

[terribletwos]

[ Guess who has never been sick before either. This guy, who's about the give the best take. ]

you should check with the hospital. you look really bad.

it might have something to do with the dragons.

[burningfree]

You think so?

[This wasn't someone else trying to mess with him, was it??]

... A dragon broke into our apartment last month, do you think that might be related? I haven't heard anything about them causing things like this, but...

[terribletwos]

that's where people here go when something's wrong and moonlacing isn't helping. i've only been there to visit others though.

this place can cause all sorts of things. but it usually tries to make us do stuff. it's weird that it's just making you feel really bad.

un: doctorize

[doctorize]

It sounds like you may have a cold, or perhaps even the flu depending on how severe the symptoms are. Have you had any stomach pain, or headaches accompanying what you mentioned before?

[burningfree]

I... don't know what the difference is.

[He knew a flu was supposed to be worse than a cold, he knew they were viruses, but beyond that he didn't know how you really got them, or what you were supposed to do about them, or why one was worse than the other.]

I've been nauseous, my head is pounding, and my whole body aches. [Definitely more flu-like.]

[doctorize]

Mm, that makes it sound more like the flu. In that case, you'll need to make sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids, or else you'll become more dehydrated than you already are from what the flu is doing with your body.

That said, you should not have to worry about something as extreme as dying from it.

[especially when death isn't even permanent here, so who cares if anyone ever dies here... but danny doesn't say that, because that wouldn't be professional of him as a doctor]

As long as you rest and keep yourself from becoming dehydrated, you should recover within a day or two. If it persists longer than that, however, then it would be best to come to a clinic or the hospital, where you can be prescribed medication that will hopefully make the recovery process go by quickly.